Railway Man

It is perhaps emblematic of our media-soaked times that we become immune to war's horrors, with its all-too-often result of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. Or to the now-hackneyed tale of haunted soldier seeking revenge only to be redeemed by love. Which may be why "The Railway Man" falls flat, despite forceful performances by leads Colin Firth (Eric Lomax) and Nicole Kidman (Patti Lomax).

Based on a true story, "The Railway Man" relates Eric Lomax's literal descent into hell, in this case as a POW of the Japanese during World War II, forced to work in Hellfire Pass, building a railway line to connect Burma (now Myanmar) to Thailand. The POWs' conditions are brutal, to say the least, and Lomax is savagely tortured. He somehow survives only to be tormented for decades by unrelenting nightmares.

Firth and Kidman's compelling yet understated performances, including vacant stares into space, contribute to the film's emotional disconnect. Happily, however, this is compensated by the bonus features of the Blu-Ray/DVD version. "The Making of 'The Railway Man'" includes shots and interviews with the real Lomaxes, driving home the personal nature of the film and the horrors suffered.

The 'Feature Commentary With Director Jonathan Teplitzky and Co-Writer/Producer Andy Paterson' provides insights into the grueling physical and emotional context of shooting the film. Both features amplify and make real this remarkable story of heroism, humanity, love, forgiveness and ultimately, redemption.

"The Railway Man"
Blu-ray with Digital HD UltraViolet
$34 .99
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